#FactCheck- AI-generated videos and fake claims targeting Delhi CJP protests circulate on social media.
Executive Summary
Even after the conclusion of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, several misleading claims related to the demonstration continue to circulate on social media. During the protests, multiple AI-generated videos, deepfakes and fabricated narratives were circulated with the intention of misleading users. CyberPeace Research Wing’s Fact Check Team investigated several such viral claims and found that many of the videos were digitally manipulated or created using artificial intelligence (AI). The research revealed that fake audio, misleading captions and altered visuals were used to falsely attribute statements to public figures, including police officials, military officers and Union ministers. The following are four major false claims debunked by the CyberPeace Research Wing:
Claim 1: Delhi Police DCP Sumit Jha resigned from IPS in support of student protests
A video of Delhi Police DCP Sumit Jha was widely shared on social media with the claim that he resigned from the Indian Police Service (IPS) in support of the student movement at Jantar Mantar. In the viral video, DCP Sumit Jha is allegedly heard saying that he was resigning from his post with immediate effect and could not remain part of a system that forced him to spread false information against students. The video was shared with the claim that Delhi Police DCP Sumit Jha resigned from his position to support protesting students.
Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral video on July 28, 2026, claiming that Delhi Police DCP Sumit Jha had resigned from his post in support of protesting students.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbUr6CPoB13/
Fact Check
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The research revealed that DCP Sumit Jha has not resigned from his position. The viral video was digitally manipulated by adding AI-generated audio to an original video shared by the Delhi Police on its official X account on July 23, 2026.
The video was further analysed using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. The tool’s analysis indicated that the audio used in the viral video had a 91.8 per cent probability of being AI-generated, confirming that the audio was artificially created and was not authentic.
Claim 2: CDS Raja Subramani confirmed that more than 30,000 soldiers resigned over Jantar Mantar protests
A video featuring Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Raja Subramani was widely circulated on social media with the false claim that he confirmed the resignation of more than 30,000 Indian Army personnel following the Jantar Mantar protest. The viral video claimed that soldiers had refused to serve the government after police action against protesting students.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the video claiming: "After the protests at Jantar Mantar, India’s Chief of Defence Staff Raja Subramani has issued an emergency alert, saying that more than 30,000 soldiers have resigned in protest because their children were brutally beaten at Jantar Mantar."
Fact Check
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The research revealed that the video featuring CDS Raja Subramani was digitally manipulated using AI-generated audio. The original video did not contain any statement related to soldiers resigning or the Jantar Mantar protest. Further research led us to the same video posted by the Instagram account myyouthindia, where CDS Raja Subramani can be seen extending his best wishes to teams participating in the 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup Football Tournament. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbEGRGBsKv8/
The audio circulating with the viral video was falsely added to create a misleading narrative.
Claim 3: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned protesters of strict action
A video featuring Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was widely circulated on social media with the claim that he issued a strict warning against student protesters. In the viral clip, Singh was allegedly heard saying that the government would not tolerate “anarchy” and that strict action would be taken against those blocking roads, disturbing public order or damaging government property.
Claim
An X user (@ForumDefence) shared the video on July 22, 2026, claiming that Rajnath Singh had issued a warning regarding the ongoing student protest.
Fact Check
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false.The original video available on Rajnath Singh’s official YouTube channel was digitally altered by adding AI-generated audio. The statement heard in the viral video was not made by the Defence Minister and was created using artificial intelligence. The viral video was also analysed using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. The analysis indicated that the speech used in the video had an 88.1 per cent probability of being AI-generated.
Claim 4: Piyush Goyal threatened to hang CJP supporters
A video of Union Minister Piyush Goyal was shared on social media with the false claim that he threatened protesters and called for two to three CJP supporters to be hanged to "teach the rest of them a lesson." In the AI-manipulated video, Goyal was allegedly heard saying: "To teach the CJP a lesson, we should hang two to three of its supporters so that they understand the real power of the government."
https://x.com/HinduReformer/status/2080367073117790288?s=20
Fact Check
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral video was digitally manipulated using AI-generated audio. The original video, posted on the Press Trust of India’s official X account, showed Piyush Goyal discussing the government’s response to examination paper leaks and appealing for the issue to be resolved through dialogue. He made no remarks threatening protesters or calling for the execution of CJP supporters.
The audio and statements attributed to him in the viral video were fabricated using AI technology.
Conclusion
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that all four viral claims related to the CJP protest were false. The videos circulating on social media were either digitally manipulated or created using AI-generated audio to falsely attribute statements to public officials. The research highlights how AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated content are increasingly being used to spread misinformation during sensitive events.
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Executive Summary
A video featuring former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is being widely circulated on social media, claiming that he made controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, and the Ambani-Adani families. Several social media users are sharing the video as genuine. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had shared a video on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on June 18, 2026. The same video has been manipulated by adding AI-generated audio and is being circulated on social media with a false claim. The viral video is not authentic; it has been digitally altered by inserting AI-generated audio.
Claim:
A user on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared the viral video claiming that former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had released the video while addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the AI-generated audio added to the video, Pradhan is allegedly heard making statements about his resignation, alleged question paper leaks, and accusing political leaders and business families.
The post’s link, archive link and screenshot are provided below:
https://x.com/emran_hoss39725/status/2081046882676261126
Fact Check:
To verify the viral claim, the Desk conducted a keyword search on Google. However, no credible news report or official statement was found confirming that Dharmendra Pradhan had made such remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, or the Ambani-Adani families. During further research, the Desk examined Dharmendra Pradhan’s official X account. The Desk found a video posted by him on June 18, 2026.
A comparison between the viral video and the original video showed that the visuals in both clips were identical. However, the audio and statements in the viral video did not match the original video. In the original video, Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any remarks related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, the Ambani-Adani families, or alleged question paper leaks. Instead, he spoke about Odisha’s traditional ‘Sheetal Shashti’ festival, its cultural and spiritual significance, and encouraged people to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
He also extended greetings on the occasion of Sheetal Shashti and highlighted the cultural heritage of Odisha and Sambalpur.
https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/2067481087140614619?s=20
Further analysis of the viral video’s audio was conducted using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. The analysis indicated that the speech used in the viral video had a 99.1 per cent probability of being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
The research established that former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any statement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, the Ambani-Adani families, or related to question paper leaks. The viral video has been created by adding AI-generated audio to an original video shared by Dharmendra Pradhan on June 18, 2026. The manipulated video is being circulated on social media with a false and misleading claim.
Introduction
Cyberwarfare has evolved into one of the most decisive instruments of statecraft and conflict. The increasing digitisation of critical infrastructure like power grids, water systems, transportation systems, healthcare networks, and energy sources has made these systems new targets in the war of algorithms. Military logic is evolving to paralyse the nation’s critical infrastructure to keep its resources engaged in repairing them and thereby break the nation’s ability to deter and counter attacks, all without firing a single bullet.
From Ransomware to an Invisible Sabotage: The changing nature of warfare
The operational technology (OT) landscape has become the epicentre of cyber operations, all around the world. Once, which was insulated, related to industrial systems that controlled turbines, pipelines, or dams, they now stand connected to the Internet through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and the Internet of Things. These connections have also become gateways for attackers, besides enhancing the efficiency of the infrastructural lifelines of the nation.
Groups like Volt Typhoon, Sandworm, Laurionite, and Cyberavengers have transformed the art of digital infiltration into a strategic shift. Volt Typhoon, which is linked to China, has used “living-off-the-land” techniques to exploit the legitimate administrative tools to remain invisible while scanning the critical infrastructures in the US. Sandworm, which is aligned with Russia’s GRU (Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie) or Main Intelligence Directorate (in English), has demonstrated the power of cyber sabotage in real time, as its attacks on Ukraine’s power grids in 2015 and 2021 had left millions in darkness, coinciding with kinetic missile strikes. Meanwhile, the Iranian-affiliated Cyberavengers group, which has weaponised the AI-assisted malware, such as IOCONTROL, that are capable of hijacking water and energy control systems. Each of these systems used in these operations reflects a shift from direct espionage activities to a state of strategic paralysis.
In comparison to the traditional cybercrime activities that are aimed at stealing data and extortion of money, these campaigns repeatedly target the physical systems, which consist of the machinery that sustains civilian life and military preparedness.
The Military Logic behind Cyber Targeting: A Web of Vulnerabilities
A critical infrastructure is a complex ecosystem that covers power generation, transportation, communication, and manufacturing are all interconnected, which means a single compromised node can cascade into a national paralysis. For instance, a breach in the systems of the dam can flood an entire city, a grid shutdown can halt water supply to hospitals, and even affect air traffic. The 2015 Black Energy Malware attack in Ukraine has proved this possibility when three utilities were hacked, plunging thousands of homes into darkness. The Iranian hackers once again gained access to the Bowman Avenue Dam of New York and controlled its floodgates, which gave a chilling demonstration of the destructive reality of digital manipulation.
The systems remain vulnerable mainly for 3 reasons such as-
- Legacy Architectures: Many of these industrial systems were designed decades ago with no built-in cybersecurity mechanisms.
- Slow Patching and Segmentation Gaps: All updates and segmentation between IT and TO networks often lag, providing open entry points for attackers.
- Converging with IoT: The integration of smart sensors and cloud-based management tools has expanded the attack surface exponentially.
This interconnected fragility has turned our critical infrastructures into both a weapon and a target or a tool for coercion in modern hybrid warfare. Between 2023 and 2024, over 420 cyberattacks were witnessed in several critical global infrastructures, which averaged to 13 attacks per second, according to a news report. These were not just random acts of digital vandalism; they were deliberate and coordinated operational attempts by state-led actors from China, Russia, and Iran.
Developing a new Resilience as the new tool of Deterrence
Cyber deterrence no longer rests on the fear of retaliation, it relies on the need for resilience. Nations that can absorb attacks, maintain continuity, and recover rapidly would be the true superpowers of this digital age. Segmentation, real-time threat detection, and AI-assisted recovery models are vital pillars of this model of resilience. The logic of modern cyberwarfare is clear, which means that the more a nation digitizes, the more it will need to defend itself.
However, as the line between war and peace blurs, safeguarding critical infrastructure is no longer just an IT priority; rather, it is a national security doctrine. In this silent theatre of cyberwarfare, survival will depend not only on firepower, but on firewalls.
References
- https://rmcglobal.com/critical-infrastructure-under-siege-the-top-ot-threats-of-2025/
- https://ccdcoe.org/uploads/2018/10/Geers2009_The-Cyber-Threat-to-National-Critical-Infrastructures.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335752979_Cybersecurity_of_Critical_Infrastructure
- https://arxiv.org/html/2510.04118v1
- https://www.anapaya.net/blog/top-5-critical-infrastructure-cyberattacks
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The 2020s mark the emergence of deepfakes in general media discourse. The rise in deepfake technology is defined by a very simple yet concerning fact: it is now possible to create perfect imitations of anyone using AI tools that can create audio in any person's voice and generate realistic images and videos of almost anyone doing pretty much anything. The proliferation of deepfake content in the media poses great challenges to the functioning of democracies. especially as such materials can deprive the public of the accurate information it needs to make informed decisions in elections. Deepfakes are created using AI, which combines different technologies to produce synthetic content.
Understanding Deepfakes
Deepfakes are synthetically generated content created using artificial intelligence (AI). This technology works on an advanced algorithm that creates hyper-realistic videos by using a person’s face, voice or likeness utilising techniques such as machine learning. The utilisation and progression of deepfake technology holds vast potential, both benign and malicious.
An example is when the NGO Malaria No More which had used deepfake technology in 2019 to sync David Beckham’s lip movements with different voices in nine languages, amplified its anti-malaria message.
Deepfakes have a dark side too. They have been used to spread false information, manipulate public opinion, and damage reputations. They can harm mental health and have significant social impacts. The ease of creating deepfakes makes it difficult to verify media authenticity, eroding trust in journalism and creating confusion about what is true and what is not. Their potential to cause harm has made it necessary to consider legal and regulatory approaches.
India’s Legal Landscape Surrounding Deepfakes
India presently lacks a specific law dealing with deepfakes, but the existing legal provisions offer some safeguards against mischief caused.
- Deepfakes created with the intent of spreading misinformation or damaging someone’s reputation can be prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita of 2023. It deals with the consequences of such acts under Section 356, governing defamation law.
- The Information Technology Act of 2000, the primary law that regulates Indian cyberspace. Any unauthorised disclosure of personal information which is used to create deepfakes for harassment or voyeurism is a violation of the act.
- The unauthorised use of a person's likeness in a deepfake can become a violation of their intellectual property rights and lead to copyright infringement.
- India’s privacy law, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, regulates and limits the misuse of personal data. It has the potential to address deepfakes by ensuring that individuals’ likenesses are not used without their consent in digital contexts.
India, at present, needs legislation that can specifically address the challenges deepfakes pose. The proposed legislation, aptly titled, ‘the Digital India Act’ aims to tackle various digital issues, including the misuse of deepfake technology and the spread of misinformation. Additionally, states like Maharashtra have proposed laws targeting deepfakes used for defamation or fraud, highlighting growing concerns about their impact on the digital landscape.
Policy Approaches to Regulation of Deepfakes
- Criminalising and penalising the making, creation and distribution of harmful deepfakes as illegal will act as a deterrent.
- There should be a process that mandates the disclosures for synthetic media. This would be to inform viewers that the content has been created using AI.
- Encouraging tech companies to implement stricter policies on deepfake content moderation can enhance accountability and reduce harmful misinformation.
- The public’s understanding of deepfakes should be promoted. Especially, via awareness campaigns that will empower citizens to critically evaluate digital content and make informed decisions.
Deepfake, Global Overview
There has been an increase in the momentum to regulate deepfakes globally. In October 2023, US President Biden signed an executive order on AI risks instructing the US Commerce Department to form labelling standards for AI-generated content. California and Texas have passed laws against the dangerous distribution of deepfake images that affect electoral contexts and Virginia has targeted a law on the non-consensual distribution of deepfake pornography.
China promulgated regulations requiring explicit marking of doctored content. The European Union has tightened its Code of Practice on Disinformation by requiring social media to flag deepfakes, otherwise they risk facing hefty fines and proposed transparency mandates under the EU AI Act. These measures highlight a global recognition of the risks that deepfakes pose and the need for a robust regulatory framework.
Conclusion
With deepfakes being a significant source of risk to trust and democratic processes, a multi-pronged approach to regulation is in order. From enshrining measures against deepfake technology in specific laws and penalising the same, mandating transparency and enabling public awareness, the legislators have a challenge ahead of them. National and international efforts have highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive framework to enable measures to curb the misuse and also promote responsible innovation. Cooperation during these trying times will be important to shield truth and integrity in the digital age.
References
- https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2245&context=jss
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/regulating-deepfakes-generative-ai-in-india-explained/article67591640.ece
- https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/regulating-ai-deepfakes-and-synthetic-media-political-arena
- https://www.responsible.ai/a-look-at-global-deepfake-regulation-approaches/
- https://thesecretariat.in/article/wake-up-call-for-law-making-on-deepfakes-and-misinformation
